Controlling and indicating apparatus



Feb. 6-, 1945. E. o. BURTON ET AL 2,368,743

CONTROLLING AND INDICATING APPARATUS Fil'ed March 16, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nl/YUHL TUNING Feb. 6 1945. E. o. BURTON ET AL QONTROLLIN G AND INDICATING APPARATUS 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fild Mafch 16, 1942 1 slotted sector member I between the levers rotate lever I about its 1 carriage 2 forwardly of of the other stops.

l4 about its pivot 18. A

I and l4,'and itwill be evipulling of core l2 into the solenoid will pivot 8 and move the dent that 1. The position that the carriage finally assumes will determine the frequency towhich the re- 1 ceiver is tuned, as is well understood; and for a 8 provides a connection its position as seen in determining the final position of the carriage 1 the tuner illustrated provides a rotatable turret 1 member I! having a series of adjustable stops i8 arranged around its periphery, and each ex-. tending a diflerent distance therefrom. The tur- 3 rot or wheel I1 is mounted for step-by-step rota- 1 tional movements in the plane of stop" in carried l 1 .by lever I, and with each step of the wheel, a

dii'ierent one of the stops I8 is positioned to co- "engages studs Zion wheel l'l to actuate the operate with lever I to position the same. The stepby-step movement of wheel I1, is eflected 1 by a slotted cam member l8 mounted on pivot II in ,cooperativevassociation with lever l4 and connected thereto by a spring 20. Cam member 3, i. e., with screw l8a beneath roller -28 and in operative relation to lever I. The mounting for roller 28 is such that the screws l8 will pass freely beneath the roller, while screw l8a will be engaged thereby because of its higher elevation. By virtue of the threaded engagement of screw 18a with wheel l1, rotation oi knob 26 and consequent rotation of roller- 28 will effect variation of the extension ,of the screw from wheel H. In this manner, the position of lever 1 maybe adjusted, and the tuning position of carriage 2 manually controlled.

A pointer 30 provides positive indication oi the tuning under both modes of operation-of which the illustrated-tuning apparatus is capa ble. The pointeris pivotally connected to a slotted arm 3| which is driven by a bell crank lever 82 pivoted at 33 and actuated by a pin 84 on carriage 2. A pin 35 on arm 3| rides ina cam slot 38 provided in the supporting bracket 31 for the actuating linkage. This structure effects straight line movement of the pointer along the dial.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4; it will be seen that the dial assembly comprises a plate 88, of glass or some other suitable material, supported by response to repeated actuation of lever 14 by j solenoid I I, thus eflecting step-by-step movement serves both to move the carriage to one extreme i of its range of movement, and to bring one of the I radial steps I! into positionto cooperate with the pivoted lever!- to position the same. A

j 30 cot wheel-l1. The energization of the solenoid ticular stop which is in operative position, thus.

automaticallyefiecting a diflerent tuning position 01' the carriage for each energization of the sole-,' noid.- A manually operable member 28 isadapted to actuate the solenoid control switchisee Fig. 5) thereby energizing the solenoid Irom asuitable source represented as a battery at24.

Thus the device is adapted for automatic tuning of the associated receiver to'predetermined stations. By adjustment of the stops l8 it is.

possible to select or set up in advance the stations which it cally. I

vThe tuner illustrated is also capable of continuous manual adjustment throughithe entire frequency range over which it is operative, as will now be described. As bestseenin Fig.. 2, there is provided a specially arranged 'screwstop lia which, as indicated by the center lines on the figure, is elevated slightly above the plane is desired to tune in automati-Q lized to effect manual adjustmentof the tuning; A pair of control knobs 25 and 28 overlie and extend beyond the novel dial scale of the inven-} tion, which scale will be fully described later. Knob 25 is adapted for connection to the usual on-ofl switch and volume control device (not illustrated), while knob 28 drives a shaft 21, used to effect manual control 01 the tuning device. This shaft and its associated control elements have been omitted in Fig. 1, 'for'the sake of clarity of illustration of other parts, but are illustrated inFigs. 2 and 3. I Shai't 21 is arranged to overlie wheel IIQ-and carries a friction roller 28, adapted to engage the knurled head 29on screw l8a when wheel i1 has been "stepped to the position shown in Fig.

end brackets 39 and bearing suitable indicia thereon, with which pointer 80 is adapted to cooperate. The pointer 30 has a, rearwardly eX- tendingportion 40 which is carried by a'-trans-;.

verse 'guide plate 4|, by means of a slidable fork 42. In addition to the usual frequency desig- I nations, dial 38 carries suitable lettering 43 and,-

as will be brought out fully as the description proceeds, the numerals provide an' indication of the tuning adjustment under bothmodes of operation of which the device is capable (i. e.,either manuabor' push-button); while the lettering 43,

only; appears when the device is conditioned for manual dial control.

For the'purpose of this invention, there are also provided a pair of lamps 44- -45 mounted His this stop which is'utiin sockets 46-41, which may be. supported in any suitable manner. a'ndenergized from a-convenient current supply, such as the battery 24. (Fig.5). Lamp 44 projects somewhatpast the lower edge of scale 38 and this lamp constitutes a source of edge lighting for the dial. -*In the embodiment illustrated, lamp 44 is adapted-to remain lighted under all conditions of operation (see Fig. 5) and serves to illuminate" the scale.

numerals in a manner which' will appearbelow. The second lamp 45 provides a source of back lighting for the dial, and a light mask 48, which extends across the entire length of dial 38, is-

interposed between the lamps to insure that there will be nointerference'between the separate light'sources. I

Lamp 45 is energized only whenjthe device is conditioned for manual tuning in the manner above explained. Thislampis controlled by a switch 49, which, as indicated in Fig. 5 is closed. only. during manual tuning. As shown in Figs.

2 and 3, switch 49 comprises aspringffinger 50.

carried by plate 6 but insulated therefrom, and arranged to engage a button 5| on wheel II. Button ii is so positioned that it is engaged by the stationaryflnger 58 onlywhen wheel I1 is rotated to the manual control position. At such .time finger 50 is grounded through wheel .11 and the metal framework of the device; therebyj closing. the circuit of lamp 4!.

rei'erence'to I travel around said dial. figuration of camslot 36 would be changed, in order that the pointer 30- may follow the curve "tion of the mode of operation to be followed. Moreover, the invention makes possible the use is preferably placed thereon, in order to best cooperate with the dual lighting means. It

should be borne in mind that this may be done in a variety of different ways,involving-combinations of painting, printing, lithographing and like processes. However, the manner in which this is done is not of particular importance, so long as the indicla is applied in such a way as to producethe desired result. Y

In the illustrated structure, the numerals,

which are preferably continuously illuminated and are of the type giving a three-dimensional effect, consist of two spaced layers of paint 52 and. 53. etched or sand blasted into the rear face of dial 38, after whichthe layer of "paint identified as 52 has been applied in the resulting depression;

The second layer of paint, 53, may be of' some contrasting color if desired, and is applied to the front face of the dial in registry with the letters defined by layer 52. A layerof' opaque backing paint 54 has also been applied, to the entire back of the glass. This backing paint may also be of one or more suitable contrasting colors, to produce the desired effects when the dial is lighted. As is well known, this type of lettering in conjunction with the edge light 44, will cause the letters to standout in bold relief. Below these numerals, at 43, lettersof trans-- lucent paint have been app ied to the back'of dial 38 and are recessediior stenciled) into the backing paint 54. The-word deilned by paint 43 (in this case DiaP is used). does not extend into the body of the glass-as do thenume'rals 52, and will, therefore,.--not appear in response to the edge light 44. However, they will stand out brightly, by reason of the translucent paint used, when the back light 45 is switched on.

,It.wil1 be evident. that the dial and its lighting means may take a nu'mber'of difierent forms. For example, the dial may be curved, provided it is made of some suitable synthetic resin or the like in order that the edge lighting may In such case the consource, while back light 45 is energized only when the wheel I! has been stepped to the. position shown in Fig. 3, i. e., when the receiver The desired numerals have first been a v'isual indication of the mode or adjustment I for .whichthe apparatus is conditioned, means for selecting either mode ofadjustment, a source of dials ofvery small height, as one setofltre' quency designations may be used under both conditions of operation, If space limitationsre- I quire it, the height or the dial may be still further shortened by moving the back light indicla closer to, or even into, the zone of the numerals. In addition, the invention provides a dial'assmbly which may have several separate, decorative.

color eflects, thereby. enhancing the appearance oi the apparatus. For'example, the lower half of the dial may bepaintedin a color contrasting with the upper half and, if desired, may be made translucent to show up brightly under one op-I l crating condition.

It will be apparent that the invention .is capable of various modifications, and it is to be un-' derstood, therefore, that the invention contemplates such changes and modifications as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: 1; In combination with apparatus capable of two different modes of adjustment, a dial bearing' indicia adapted to indicate the. position of adjustment of said apparatus whenit is controlled by either mode .of adjustment, said dial further bearing other indicla adapted to provide of light providing edge illumination of said dial, a second source of light providing back illumination of .said dial, said first-mentioned indicia, beingadapted to appear in response to edge lighting of saiddial and said second-mentioned" V indicia being adapted to appear in response to back lighting thereof, and. means controlled by said selecting means io'r e'ne'rgizing said back 40 lighting. source only when theapparatus is con'- other of said types being adapted to appear in p is conditioned for manual operation and the cooperating contacts and 5| are closed. As will now be evident, whensthis position of wheel H has been reached, the circuit is automatically closed to back light 45, and the word dial will .stand' outsharply .thus giving the operator 9.

positive visual indication that the set is conditioned for manual tuning. The circuit also includes an on-oil' switch which may be ganged with the, on-ofi switch of the receiver.

From the above, it maybe seen that this invention provides a novel indicating mechanism which is useful to an operator under two conditions of operation of thedevice to be controlled,

and in which a changeover from one use oithe' device to the other automatically actuates a novel means providing a positive visual indicaditioned for one of said modes of. adjustment. 2. In'radio tuning apparatus having provision for both automatic'and manual tuning control. a dial bearing one type of indicia adapted to in;

dicate the tu'ningagliustment. ofsaid apparatus when it-is conditioned for either mode of con-. trol, said dial iurtherxbearing another type of indicla adapted to provide a isual indication of the mode of controlxifdnlwhith the apparatus is conditioned, means foi fselectingeither mode of control, a source of light-{prov ding edge lllumi-f nation of said dial, a secondjsource of light pro-f viding back illumination of said dial, one oi said two types oi indicia being adapted to appear in response to edge lighting oisaid dial and the response to back lighting thereof, and means controlled by said selecting means for energizing one of said'light sources only when the apparatus is conditio for-fone :ofisaid modes of control. .5

3. In radio tuning appara otatable means for efiecting automatic tuningoo'ntrol, means for eiifecting manualjtuning control .when'said r0- tatable' means is-inone position, a single dial.

bearing one of indicia adapted to indicate the tuningadiustme'nt of said apparatus, said dial, further bearing another type of indicla adapted to provide a visual indication when the apparatus is conditioned for manual tuning, a source of light providing edge illumination of said dial, a second source of light providing back illumination of said dial, the first-mentioned indicia beingadapted to appear in response to" edge lighting of said dial and the other indicia jmeansflto difiere t i actuating means and 1 said' element is in ually adjusting said tion within'its operating range,'a tuning indica j plurality off stops 1 ing the. position 4 Y a bem aaspfed reapp ar in response'toback lighting thereof, and means forenergizing said second light source only meansis .insaid one position.

1 4.1111 r'adio'tunin'g apparatus capable oi both manual and automatic tuning adjustment, a

when said rotatable progressively mov ble element adapted tov efiect y automatic sive step, means for'efiecting manual tuning adjustment when said movable element has reached a predetermined'position, a'dial bearing indicia adapted to indicate the tuning adjustment of saidapparatus, said dial when the apparatusis conditioned formanu'al tuning; a'source oflight providing edge illumi-' nation oisaid dial, a secondsource 01 light pro:- viding back mentioned indicia being adapted to appear .in

electrical circuit including said second'light source and a switch fadapted tojclose said circuit when the movable" element has reached said predtermined posi-tion.

'6. In a radio tuning and indicating mechae single. manual control member-for operating said to succ'essive positions, means operable-when tuning means to I any posi-v j tor ,dial, means 'for indicating the position of i said tuning means-on said dial, andmeans for indicating on'said dial the positionin of said elementior manualftuningbv H fa radio tuning and-"indicating mecha-J- 1 nism,"adjustable'tuning-means,'means including)- 1 a step bystep'e'lement 'forac'tuating' said tuning "eans'tojdiiierent predetermined positions, a on said element for determine 7 ofsaidtunln'g means for each position of said. lement, means operable when saidelement'isin one'of its positions for manuallyadjusting the merit, to thereby'adjus't said tuning means to tuning adjustment with each progresfurther bearing other indicla adapted to provide a visual indication lighting of said dial, andmeans forfenergizing' 'said second-light sourceaccording-to claim 4, whereinfor moving said element.

illumination. of said dial, said first a ing indicator tion of said tuning means on said element for manual tuning.

adjustable means to be positioned, a

member to actuate said adjustablemeans, a sec-f ond1manually-operable member, means controlled by said first-member for, establishing a jdriving'linkage between'said second memberand said'adjustable means, whereby said adjustable rmeans may be actuated by .said second member,

and meansresponsive' to the establishment of .15

, mechanism'is conditioned for operation by said said driving linkage forindicating that the second'member.

9. In a positioning and depressible member means operable. in response to successive actuations of ;said member for actuating said adjustable means to different? predetermined positions, said last-named means including an element tions, means ,for-indicating the position of said adjustablefmea ns, a manually-rotatable member, means operable byfsaid rotatable member element is, in one to adjust said adjustable means only when said of its'positions, and means one position toapprise the operator that the j nism, adjustable tuning" means, means" including aste'p-by-step element for actuating said tuning predetermined positions, a v

one ofits positions" for man--- determined; positions, said'last-named means operative-stop on said ele'- mechanism is conditioned for operation by said rotatable member. v I

10. In a positioning and indicating mechanism, adjustable means to be positioned, a manually-' depressibl able means, a 'manually rotatable member,

means operable by said rotatable member when said element is in one of itsfpositions, for adjusting the operative stop on'said element, to thereby adjust said adjustable means, and means oper-= able'lby said element, when'itreaches said one position to apprise the operator that the mechanism is conditioned for operation by said rotatable member.

, EUCLID O. BURTON.

ARTHUR V. NICHOL.

dial, means forindicating the posidial, andmeans for indicating on said dial the. positioning of said" indicatingmechanism, adjustable-means to be positioned, a manually movableto successive posimember, means operable in'response to successive actuations of said member for acthe position of said adjust-" 

